Paul is our go-to-guy for air purifier and dehumidifier reviews. His apartment has become a de facto HouseFresh test lab where he pits the latest clean air technology against the perils of city center life. When he’s not putting a purifier through its paces, Paul likes to endlessly dig through dusty record shops (making his dust-free apartment even more important).
From musky odors to moldy walls, a bathroom can quickly become an unpleasant environment. Not ideal for the space we use to cleanse and prepare ourselves for a busy day or a restful sleep.
Whether it’s notoriously nasty bodily odors or a result of steamy showers with poor ventilation, a host of factors can affect your air quality in the bathroom. Thankfully, however, this is where an air purifier can help. The right purifier can reset your space and allow you to breathe fresh, healthy air.
To find the right air purifier for your needs, it’s essential to ensure it features quality filtration, ideally utilizing a HEPA filter to capture mold spores, allergens and bacteria alongside an Activated Carbon filter to remove any unwanted odors.
As bathrooms are traditionally smaller spaces within the home, you’ll find you won’t need a huge, powerful unit that would likely prove to be overkill while also taking up much floor space. Although it is still advisable to opt for a purifier with a high Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) that can cycle the air efficiently within your space to achieve the best results.
The Top 3 Air Purifiers For Bathrooms
Why You Should Trust This List
There’s a lot of information online that advises consumers on which air purifier to purchase. So you may now be wondering which site to trust. You may not realize that most “best air purifier” lists are nothing more than a ranking of the current bestsellers, regardless of a unit’s actual capabilities.
We don’t want to contribute to that.
That is why here at HouseFresh we test and review every air purifier we feature in our own home lab. That way, we can compare them using first-hand data that doesn’t rely on manufacturers’ specifications or sales figures. Here’s what we do instead:
- We fill our home lab with particulate pollutants from burning incense sticks.
- We use a Purple Air Indoor sensor to record how long the air purifier takes to reduce the levels of PM1ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3, and PM10ug/m3 particles in the air.
- We track energy consumption with an electricity usage monitor.
- We measure noise levels in decibels across all power levels available.
With all this data in hand, we can compare every air purifier across a wide range of uses and see how they stack up against specific issues. We then examine initial costs and long-term costs associated with each unit to indicate how much a purifier will set you back over its lifetime.
We do all this to help you find the ultimate air purifier for your space. So be sure to check out our top five options for purifying the air in your bathroom, along with one that you should steer clear of below.
1. Taotronics AP003
Straight off the bat, the Taotraonics AP003 will work wonders in a bathroom environment without breaking the bank. It features three stages of filtration, including a washable pre-filter that will help with stray hairs and lint, a H13 HEPA to capture microscopic mold spores and bacteria and a stacked Activated Carbon filter to combat any unwanted odors.
This purifier is designed for use in rooms up to 322 ft², so it should provide ample coverage for even the most spacious bathrooms. It also offers brilliant purifying performance, with a CADR score of 226 CFM, the highest of all the purifiers recommended on this list.
Although it will not win any style awards, it has some impressive features that will give you a greater insight into your air quality and simple yet effective functions to clean air quickly. None more so than the in-built air sensor that provides accurate pollutant readings in real-time, allowing you to alter the fan speeds accordingly.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Washable Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon and H13 True HEPA filters. |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 226 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 322 ft² |
| Filter life: | 3 — 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 32 — 52 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 21.8H x 14.1W x 7.9D inches / 55.4H x 35.8W x 20D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 19 lbs / 8.6 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $63.44 per year |
| Time to clean our test room | 29 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Offers fantastic bang for its buck
👍 Simple to use and highly functional
👍 Cleaned our home testing lab of all pollutants in under half an hour
👍 Utilizes high-quality filters
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Not the quietest of purifiers
👎 Is a medium-sized unit so it maybe a squeeze for small bathrooms
2. Levoit Core 300S
Next, we have the trusty Levoit Core 300S. This purifier has been featured on many of our top purifier lists due to its outstanding performance, usability and budget-friendly price tag. This all still rings true today while also being an ultra-compact unit making it an excellent unit for use in a bathroom environment.
Under the surface, you’ll find a washable pre-filter, Activated Carbon and H13 True HEPA filters, making it well equipped to deal with whatever pollutants you send its way. It also comes with Levoit’s trademarked fan technology VortexAir, which enables it to complete five air changes an hour within a 219 ft² space.
The 300S boasts a range of Smart features that make purifying the air a doddle. From the Auto mode that adjusts the fan speed automatically to tackle changing pollutants to its Voice Activated controls or smartphone app compatibility, which allows you to power up the purifier remotely.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Washable Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon and H13 True HEPA filters. |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 141 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 219 ft² |
| Filter life: | 6 — 8 Months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 28 — 48 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 14.2H x 8.7D x 8.7W inches / 36H x 22D x 22W cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 5.95 lbs / 2.7 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $30.85 per year |
| Time to clean our test room: | 39 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Iconic Levoit design with classy features
👍 Ultra quiet on its lowest fan speed
👍 Provides real-time air quality feedback through the app and in-build display
👍 Is the lightest unit on our list making it easy to move from room to room
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Cheaper units now offer a higher CADR score
👎 360-degree air intake means you can’t push it up against a wall
3. Smart Air S
If you’re short on space, you would be hard-pressed to find a purifier as small yet as powerful as the Smart Air S. Measuring up at under 15 inches on each side, this is a compact and lightweight purifier that is easy to maneuver, whilst still providing an impressive CADR score of 185 CFM, which is much higher than some units twice its size.
This level of performance is all down to Smart Air’s no-nonsense approach to air purification. They believe in nailing the basics and letting the performance speak for itself rather than developing fancy features that the average consumer might not use. That’s why under the hood of their air purifiers all you’ll find are powerful fans and top-quality filters.
That’s not to say the Smart Air A isn’t user-friendly, however. It has a fool-proof one-dial operation, runs at a whisper quiet 23 dB on its lowest fan speed and won’t look out of place in any modern home thanks to its cute and thoughtful design.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | H12 HEPA and optional Activated Carbon filter |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 185 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 430 ft² |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 23 — 52 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 13H x 13W x 14.3D inches / 33.02H x 33.02W x 36.32D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 10.1 lbs / 4.58 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $92.55 per year |
| Time to clean our test room | 29 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Unique and modern design
👍 Capable of cleaning the air in medium-large rooms
👍 Super simple to use
👍 Rapid results, taking just 29 minutes to clear our test space of all pollutants
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Not the best option for those looking for a tech-filled appliance
👎 No timer so must remember to switch the purifier off when not in use
4. IKEA FÖRNUFTIG
When IKEA announced they were entering the air purifier market, it’s fair to say we were skeptical. Having gotten our hands on a purifier for ourselves, however, we were happy to be proved wrong, with this unit offering outstanding results for rock-bottom prices.
With everything you need to combat mold, odors and bacteria, thanks to the unit’s three stages of protection, including a Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter and Activated Carbon Filter, this unit will capture 99.7% of pollutants as small as 0.3 microns in size. It can also transform the air in spaces as large as 105 ft².
What’s more, this purifier boasts a slender profile and lightweight design, making it ideal for small spaces and bathrooms. It can even be mounted to the wall for even greater space-saving efficiency.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter and Carbon Filter |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 70 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 105 ft² |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 28 dB — 60 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 18H x 4D x 12W inches / 45.72H x 10.1 x 30.5 |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 6.7 lbs / 3.04 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $31.94 per year |
| Time to clean our test room | 61 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Cheap to buy and run, drawing just 14.7 watts of energy on its highest speed
👍 Easy to operate with one-button controls
👍 Comes with quality filters that are easy to replace
👍 Stylish and savvy design that you would expect from IKEA
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Not the most powerful of purifiers
👎 Can be quite loud on its highest fan speed
5. Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Air Purifier HP04
Finally, we have the Dyson HP04, one of the flagship models from an innovative company you can trust. With HEPA and Activated Carbon filters, this unit will help to reduce airborne pollutants such as mold, odors and bacteria that cause issues in the bathroom, with fans large enough to cover a space up to 400 ft².
If we are being totally honest, this purifier doesn’t have the most fantastic purifying performance when considering its price tag. But it does come with features that no other purifier can offer. Namely the ability to heat or cool your space. This is particularly useful when combatting mold and mildew, as the warmer environment helps to dry out the air, making it harder for spores to spread.
It also has a range of excellent features that will make life easier. Its smartphone app, for one, is perhaps the best we have tested. While it also utilizes an Auto mode for fuss-free purification and an impressive air intake and outlet system, as the unit rotates 350 degrees.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | HEPA and Activated Carbon filters |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 89 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 400 ft² |
| Filter life: | 12 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24 — 62 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 30.1H x 8.1W x 5.1D inches / 76.5H x 20.7W x 13D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 12.36 lbs / 5.6 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $53.88 per year |
| Time to clean our test room: | 84 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Fantastic design and appearance
👍 Ultra quiet on its lowest fan speeds
👍 Long lasting filters, offering protection for up to a year
👍 Energy efficient for a larger unit
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Purifying performance is a little lackluster for its price
👎 Replacement filters are more expensive
The Air Purifier We Don’t Recommend: ULTTY Bladeless Tower Fan and Air Purifier
Now, we’ll look at a unit that is best avoided if you want to see a fundamental transformation in your bathroom air quality. On the surface, the UTILITY Purifier ticks a lot of boxes. It has a HEPA filter, a sleek and stylish design and even a fan/heater function similar to the Dyson. This made for exciting reading when we stumbled across this appliance, as for $149.99, we thought it could be a worthy alternative to higher-priced models.
Our excitement faded when we tested this unit for ourselves. While it may look the part, on closer inspection, we found the device to have a cheaper feel, lack key features such as an in-built air sensor and ultimately, lack the power required to clean the air effectively, with a measly CADR score of just 35 CFM.
| Why We Suggest You Avoid This Unit: 👎 Painfully slow performance. Despite ramping the unit up to its highest fan speeds, it still took over two hours to clear the room of pollutants. 👎 This unit doesn’t have an Activated Carbon filter, so it won’t remove any unwanted odors, nor will it work to reduce the level of harmful VOC pollutants in your bathroom. |
FAQs About Air Purifiers for Bathrooms
🤔 Why should you have an air purifier in your bathroom?
Bathrooms are prime areas for mold and mildew buildup. The room often gets wet due to excess moisture and steam from a steamy shower or bath without adequate ventilation. It’s a hot spot. The right air purifier can capture mold spores in the air, improving the air quality, preventing the spread and eliminating odors simultaneously.
You’ll also find bathrooms are rife with airborne bacteria and viruses, especially if someone in the home is ill. An air purifier with a HEPA filter can capture those microscopic particles, reducing them so that the air is healthier.
🤔 What problems are caused by excessive moisture?
Naturally, the air carries moisture; however, excessive moisture is an indoor pollutant that can damage your health and home. Moisture collects on walls, mirrors and windows as condensation. This build-up can lead to mildew and mold and provide an excellent environment for dust mites and other bugs to thrive. This can trigger nasty allergies and asthma-related symptoms, while prolonged exposure can result in severe respiratory conditions.
As for your home, excessive moisture can cause rusting in metal components found in the room and warp or even rot wooden furniture. Since it’s common for moisture to collect on the walls in a bathroom, too much of it can lead to the wallpaper peeling or the paint chipping. Mold will soon appear in various areas, such as on the floor around the toilet or ceiling and is known to spread once it takes hold rapidly.
🤔 What other ways are there to tackle mold and lower moisture levels?
One of the first things you want to check in your bathroom is the ventilation. Lowering moisture levels in a contained space like a bathroom without proper ventilation can be challenging. Not only that, but good ventilation can help with odor control too.
A reliable ventilation system works together with an air purifier in this case. As an air purifier works on treating the symptoms of moisture build-up, but it doesn’t get rid of the moisture. To remove excess moisture from your space, investing in a dehumidifier to work in tandem with your purifier will bring about great results fast!
How We Picked Our Top Choices
We don’t recommend units without being 100% confident in our real-life performance testing process. That’s why we test all the models we recommend in the same room (sized 705 cubic ft) performing the same job (removing incense smoke).
This allows us to compare units side by side and create “best” lists like this one. The most important features we considered when selecting were:
- Filtration – An air purifier is only as good as the filters it uses. Look for the HEPA stamp of approval and combine this with an Activated Carbon filter for the most comprehensive protection from airborne pollutants.
- Power – It is vital for an air purifier to draw in and redistribute air effectively. You’ll need a unit with high-powered fans to do this. A great indication of the unit’s power is to check the CADR score; the higher the number, the more oomph the appliance has, such as the Taotronics AP003, which comes with a rating of 226 CFM.
- High-Spec Features – Smart features such as an Auto Mode or Smartphone compatibility allow greater functionality from your purifier. The Dyson HP04 has a wide range of features that make using the device much more accessible. Plus, it has an in-built fan and heater to help control the temperature in your space.
- Size – Bathrooms are often one of the smallest rooms in the house, so it’s essential to consider the size of the unit, so it doesn’t eat up too much of your valuable living space. Purifiers such as IKEA’s FÖRNUFTIG are slimly designed and can be pressed to the wall or wall mounted to save extra space.
SOURCES
Monthly energy consumption costs have been calculated using our air purifier electricity usage calculator, which allows us to calculate daily and yearly costs associated with running an air purifier for 24hs a day.
You can customize the result by air purifier wattage and by state. In the case of the calculations we shared on this page, we used California as our base state for energy prices.
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API